 New push to save old DHS By Ken Studer Preservation Texas published its “Most Endangered Historic Places for 2007,” and the old Denison High School is included. Two more sites listed in the Dallas- Fort Worth area are the old Arlington High School and the St. Louis-San Francisco Railway Company Depot, which holds economic development potential for Comanche County. Preservation Texas officials made the announcement on the steps of the Texas State Capital on Feb. 7, which was declared Preservation Day 2007. The three sites were among the 12 sites named to the list. “Each individual listing is threatened by possible destruction, adverse development or neglect and each has a compelling reason for being saved,” said Libby Buuck, president of Preservation Texas, a statewide partner of the National Trust for Historic Preservation. “The sites represent the most eminent needs and highest probability for positive action.” A release from Preservation Texas refers to the Old Denison High School as built in 1913 and constructed on the site of the original 1800s school. Located in a prominent downtown location on the 700 block of Main Street, the striking architectural design still allows the abandoned school a presence that made the community proud when it was built. Additions to the building over time resulted in the huge complex that fills an entire city block. It was used by the school district until the 1980s, but is now vacant and deteriorating, only infrequently used by the local Jaycees as a haunted Halloween house. Results of the Denison 2020 Community Assessment Survey In a late December meeting, Denison Mayor Robert Brady and Denison Heritage Inc. board members Chuck Pool and Joy Bryant received the results of the recent Denison 2020 Community Assessment Survey. Charlotte Pelton, president of The Waters Pelton Organization, provided results of the survey in a written report also distributed to members of the Denison City Council. The purpose of the survey was to gauge the public opinion regarding proposed uses of the old Denison High School site in the 400 block of Main Street. The Denison 2020 Leadership Oversight Committee’s mission was to help DHI and the City of Denison identify important community needs that could be met using the old high school site. During the months of October and November 2006, 238 people participated in the survey which was published in the Herald Democrat and also accessible online via the Internet. Participants included residents of Denison as well as others throughout the north Texas region and beyond. Household age ranges were fairly well dispersed, reflecting a diversity of opinions across all age segments. Participants were asked a series of questions regarding the old Denison High School buildings, proposed plans for the overall use of the old DHS site and support of a city-led effort to redevelop the site. The results of the poll indicated a strong desire among the participants for the City of Denison to have a definitive plan for the site before determining whether or not to tear down the buildings. In addition, survey respondents also preferred that the site be designed for multiple uses including a public library and technology training center, a children’s museum and learning center and a town plaza used for special events and festivals. “The survey findings are directional in nature and represent opinions that should be taken into consideration as the process for site redevelopment continues to move forward,” said Pelton. “As the City continues its planning process, I recommend that this survey be augmented with expanded public input, as well as increased public education and awareness, to ensure that all segments of the Denison community have the opportunity to provide input into the future use and design of the site. This can aid in broader community buy-in from those the site is intended to serve.” Brady said, “We are pleased to receive this report from WPO, copies of which have been provided to members of the City Council. We will certainly take into consideration the opinions expressed in this survey as we make decisions regarding the site that are in the best interest of our community.” “I am pleased that we have come to this important juncture in our efforts to address important educational, cultural and recreational needs while resolving ow best to use this historic site in a manner that will honor the past and serve Denison’s citizens well into the future,” said Chuck Pool, the DHI board member instrumental in the Denison 2020 efforts during the past year. Pelton noted that the study should be used as a jumping off point for a future “design charrette”, a planning process that will allow design professionals to engage expanded public input regarding the site’s proposed elements. “This process, widely used throughout the U.S. in communities employing best practices in urban design, will enable residents of all ages, backgrounds and needs to more specifically express what is important for the City of Denison to consider as it moves forward,” according to Pelton. Some of the findings of the survey were: 89 percent of the participants said the City of Denison should not demolish the DHS building before they have a final plan and funding for future use of the site. Eighty-nine percent said the DHS building should be maintained by the city, using city funds, until the future use of the site had been determined. The survey showed that 63 percent of the people polled would like to see a town plaza, 15 percent a public library and technology training center, 8 percent a children’s museum, and 14 percent said they would like to see a combination of all the above choices. Ninety percent said they would prefer that the city retain the 1913 core of the old DHS building and include it as part of the use, if economically feasible. The big question in the survey asked if the person polled would be willing to consider supporting a city bond issue to make the best future use of the old DHS property, to which 84 percent said they would. Of the 14 percent that voted that they would like to see a combination of all the choices gave comments such as, “Combination of public library and town plaza, but only if the 1912 building is kept and reused. The building seems large enough to accommodate all of the above with major renovation. What a great opportunity to save an historical building that means so much to so many and, at the same time, create a focal point for the town. I visited the library last month and it seems to be bursting at the seams. I was especially touched to find that the original library, where I spent many hours as a child, was still being utilized. I felt ‘home again.” “I understand that a developer is currently looking at the site. I would prefer to see that go through because this would add to the tax base and bring more traffic downtown. In combination with that I would like to see the Public Library and Technology Center.” “The original 1913 core DHS building should be utilized for both the Public Library as well as a Town Plaza for outdoor community events and activities. The Public Library will provide an indoor facility to help the economic and community growth of our beloved city while the Town Plaza will provide a center foundation for community involvement in beautifying Denison.” |